About the Program

This program is for beginning and advanced goat and sheep producers. To become certified as a Master Goat or Sheep Producer you must attend every class, take the pre-test, take the post test and pass with a score of 70% or above and pass an on-farm inspection. To become eligible for certification as an Advanced Master Goat Producer (only available for goat producers), you must pass a second on-farm inspection and pass the web-based goat certification course hosted on Langston University's website. We also offer a non-certification track for those producers, students or agricultural professionals who want to participate in the training activities, but are not interested in becoming certified. Individuals that take the non-certification track will not be required to have an on-farm inspection.The Master Goat and Sheep Producer’s Certification Program is a comprehensive training program which offers classes in the following areas:

The Master Goat and Sheep Producer’s Certification Program is a joint initiative between the Cooperative Extension Program at Florida A&M University, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, University of Florida and the Southeastern Small Farmer’s Network.

Program Objective

The objective of this program is to provide educational training opportunities in small ruminant production, management and marketing to producers, agricultural professionals and students to assist in building a viable and sustainable goat and sheep industry in the state of Florida.

The Goat Industry

Today new business opportunities exist for farm families to diversify their farm operations and to explore alternative enterprises to increase their income. In the U.S., meat goat production has quickly become one of the fastest growing livestock industries Persistence among ethnic consumers in maintaining their religious or cultural practices has increased demand for goat meat. Because of demand, new and established producers have consistently expressed a need for information on how to raise healthy, productive animals. Recognizing this need, Florida A&M University, Cooperative Extension Program established the Master Goat Producer’s Certification Program in 2007 and sheep production and management was incorporated into the curriculum in 2008.

Program Format

The Master Goat and Sheep Producer’s Certification Program is a six day comprehensive training program which offers classes on risk management (production, marketing, financial and legal risks), herd health, nutrition and pasture management, reproduction and breeding management, marketing, biosecurity, disaster preparedness, quality assurance, selecting and evaluating breeding stock, bioterrorism awareness and much more. This program also offers hands-on training on hoof trimming, administering medications, FAMACHA and microscopic fecal examinations.

There are three levels of this certification program and they are the following:

Level 1:

· You must take a pre-test and attend all of the training classes.

· You must pass the post-test with a score of 70% or higher and complete the program evaluation.

Level 2:

· To become eligible for certification, you must pass level 1 and agree to an onsite farm inspection.

· Once you have passed level 1 and an on-farm inspection, you are then certified.

Level 3:

· To become an Advanced Certified Master Goat Producer, you must pass level,

agree to a second farm inspection and pass the web-based goat certfication course

· We also offer a non-certification track for those producers, students or agricultural professionals who would like to participate in the training activities, but are not interested in becoming certified. Individuals that take the non-certification track will not be required to have an on-farm inspection. If you decide to take the non-certification track, please click on the appropriate link when registering for the program.